6 Tips to Communicate with Confidence

Confident Communication is one of the most critical leadership capabilities and one of the goals most coaching clients want to work on.

??That's why we are exploring six practical tips this week to communicate more confidently as a leader in one-on-one meetings, team meetings, or even when talking to stakeholders or senior management.

(Prefer to listen ??or watch??? ? Check out the YouTube video here )

??1| Prepare Your Intentions and Desired Outcome:?

Before any significant interaction, take the time to get clear on your objectives and the intention of this conversation. Whether it's a presentation, a feedback session, or a team meeting, knowing what you aim to achieve allows you to prime your mind and also your emotional state. It will also help you to find the right time and environment and choose your words well.

??2| Is it a Discussion or a Decision??

In general, we want to aim for collaboration and empowering our team members to be part of the decision making.

But sometimes, as leaders, we have to make decisions or an important call and communicate them clearly. There are instances where these points are not up for discussion due to the circumstances, the importance of the matter, or potential consequences.

Often, I hear leaders share with me that they were not clear enough when communicating a decision, were bombarded with opinions, and were not able to stick to their decisions confidently.

It is important that you are clear about whether you are prepared to open up a discussion and get input or whether this is a final decision.?

This will determine how to communicate it.

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??3| Embrace Feedback Conversations:?

Rather than shying away from difficult discussions, embrace them and get clear why these are important. Take the time to prepare thouroughly. Utilize frameworks like the SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) method to structure feedback effectively and approach these conversations with confidence.

??4| Don’t pose statements as a question:

You want to deliver your statements assertively by avoiding upward inflections that diminish conviction. The key here is to practice intonation and delivery out loud on repeat. This will allow your body and mind to remember and deliver your statements more calmly and confidently.

??5| Take a Breath and Slow Down:?

If you're like me, you might tend to speed up when you're nervous. This can often impact how your message is perceived.

You can combat your nerves by taking a short pause, breath in deeply, and speaking deliberately. Emphasize each word to convey assurance and allow yourself time to gather thoughts, fostering clarity and coherence.

If you stumble or lose your train of thought, that's ok; take a deep breath, and it will come back.

??6| Don’t be afraid of the silence:?

Sometimes, when we deliver bad news or an unpopular opinion, we can feel afraid of the dreaded silence from the other side. Then, we might want to jump in to explain ourselves and go around in circles just to avoid the awkward silence.?

But try not to fear pauses in conversation or presentation. Expect them and welcome them in.

Silence can be a powerful tool for reflection and engagement. And it will give you some time to calm your nerves too.?

Allow space for others to process information and respond, which will enhance the impact of your communication.

??Which of these tips resonates most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.